Profile
“Ned Helme has a quick, stellar brain and is everything you would want in terms of communication skills.” Chambers and Partners
“Ned is one of the most hard-working, intelligent and imaginative barristers.” Legal 500
Ned is a leading junior specialising in planning, environment, administrative and public law, and associated areas. He is ranked in both The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. He has substantial court experience at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court and he also appears regularly in inquiries, hearings and examinations. He is on the Board of the Journal of Environmental Law (Oxford University Press) and is a General Editor of the Environmental Law Bulletin (Sweet & Maxwell). He is also a contributing author to The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive (London Publishing Partnership, 2025). Prior to coming to the Bar, Ned read Biological Sciences at the University of Oxford (1st Class, Gibbs Prize) and is therefore well-placed to deal with cases involving scientific and other technical issues.
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Elliott Hurrell
Director of Clerking
Contact Us
Elliott Hurrell
Director of Clerking
Areas Of Expertise
Ned has an extensive planning practice and a wide client base, including developers, landowners, local government and other public bodies, individuals and interest groups. He has particular expertise in cases involving: the environment; energy and natural resources; heritage assets; major infrastructure; large-scale residential and commercial development; aviation; and planning enforcement. He also has broad experience of areas associated with planning, including: the community infrastructure levy; highways, footpaths and rights of way; village greens and commons; compulsory purchase and compensation; licensing; and local government.
Court Cases of Note
- R (Luck) v Bracknell BC [2025] EWHC 2984 (Admin) – Judicial review of Community Infrastructure Levy liability and demand notices relating to a self-build development. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- Bud Rescue and Recovery Ltd v SSHCLG (Case No: AC-2024-LON-003382) – Section 289 TCPA 1990 challenge relating to development at the former Butterfly World site, St Albans. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC.
- Swindon BC v SSLUHC [2023] EWHC 1627 (Admin) – Section 288 TCPA 1990 challenge on viability and precedent grounds to an appeal decision granting permission for 220 dwellings and associated development. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (GOESA Ltd) v Eastleigh BC [2022] EWHC 1221 (Admin) – Judicial review on climate change, legitimate expectation and other grounds of a permission to extend the runway of Southampton International Airport. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Samuel Smith Old Brewery) v North Yorkshire CC [2020] UKSC 3 – Judicial review concerning the scope of Green Belt policy in the context of large-scale mineral extraction. Ned acted for the Claimant/Appellant, led by Peter Village KC and James Strachan KC, in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Judgment
- City & Country Bramshill Ltd v SSHCLG [2021] 1 WLR 5761 – Multiple Section 288 and 289 TCPA 1990 challenges to decisions on a series of conjoined appeals concerning Bramshill House, a Grade I listed Jacobean mansion set within a Grade I registered park and garden. Ned acted for the Claimant/Appellant, led by James Strachan KC, in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Judgment
- CEG Land Promotions II Ltd v SSHCLG [2018] EWHC 1799 (Admin) – Section 288 TCPA 1990 challenge concerning the proper approach to “valued landscapes” under the NPPF. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by James Strachan KC. Judgment
- Hallam Land Management v SSCLG and Eastleigh BC [2018] EWCA Civ 1808 – Section 288 TCPA 1990 challenge concerning the proper approach to calculating housing land supply. Ned acted for the Council in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Government of the Republic of France) v Kensington and Chelsea RLBC [2017] 1 WLR 3206 – Judicial review concerning certificates of lawfulness under the planning and heritage regimes. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Lee Valley Regional Park Authority) v Epping Forest DC and Valley Grown Nurseries Ltd [2016] EWCA Civ 404 – Judicial review of a decision to grant planning permission for a 92,000 square metre glasshouse on Green Belt, EIA, habitats and other grounds. Ned acted for the Interested Party in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Peter Village KC. Judgment
- St Albans DC v SSCLG & Ors [2015] EWHC 655 (Admin) – Section 288 TCPA 1990 challenge concerning a strategic rail freight interchange. Ned acted for the Interested Party, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Gibson) v Waverley BC [2015] EWHC 3784 (Admin) and [2012] EWHC 1472 (Admin) – Judicial reviews on heritage grounds of decisions to grant planning permission and listed building consent for the redevelopment of Undershaw, the former home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment (2012) and Judgment (2015)
- R (Burridge) v Breckland DC [2013] EWCA Civ 228 – Judicial review of planning permissions for a renewable energy facility. The Court of Appeal’s judgment is of importance on issues of project-splitting in the context of EIA and the exercise of judicial discretion. Ned acted for the Council, led by John Hobson KC. Judgment
- Hunston Properties v SSCLG [2013] EWCA Civ 1610 – Seminal case on objectively assessed housing needs. Ned acted for the Claimant in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Evans) v Cornwall Council [2013] EWHC 4109 (Admin) – Judicial review on heritage grounds of agricultural permitted development for polytunnels and a barn. Ned acted for the Council. Judgment
- R (Sanders and Ross) v Airports Commission [2013] EWHC 3754 (Admin) – Judicial review on grounds of apparent bias of the work of the Airports Commission. Ned acted for the Claimants, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- Shadwell Estates Ltd v Breckland DC [2013] EWHC 12 (Admin) – Section 113 PCPA 2004 challenge to the adoption of an area action plan on SEA/SA and habitats grounds. Ned acted for the Council, led by John Hobson KC. Judgment
- Thomas v Bridgend CBC [2012] QB 512 – Appeal concerning the compatibility of time limits under the Land Compensation Act 1973 with the Human Rights Act 1998. Ned acted for the Council following the Court of Appeal proceedings, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
Examinations of Note
- Emerging Wiltshire Local Plan (2021-ongoing) – Acting for Wiltshire Council.
- Emerging Elmbridge Local Plan (2023-2025) – Acted for Claygate House Investments Ltd and MJS Investments Ltd, the owners of an omission site.
- Emerging Mole Valley Local Plan (2022-2024) – Acted for Capel Parish Council.
- Emerging Eastleigh Borough Local Plan (2017-2022) – Acted for Eastleigh Borough Council (as junior to Paul Stinchcombe KC).
- Emerging Wealden Local Plan (2018-2019) – Acted for Wealden District Council (as junior to Paul Stinchcombe KC).
- Welborne (2015) – Acted for Fareham Borough Council on Parts 2 and 3 of its Local Plan, the Welborne Plan and the Development Sites and Policies Plan (as junior to James Strachan KC).
Planning Appeals of Note
- Land North of Raleigh Drive, Claygate (2024-2026) – Acted for the Appellants in a multiday inquiry and a subsequent repeat application for up to 60 dwellings in the Green Belt.
- 212-214 Kennington Road, London (2026) – Acted for the Appellant in a hearing for the conversion of a petrol station to a 6-storey apartment building.
- Land West of Mill Lane, Braintree (2025) – Acted for the Appellant in a hearing for 78 bungalows.
- Chigwell Nursery (2024) – Acted for the Appellant in a hearing for 65 dwellings.
- Hobbyhorse Lane Inquiry (2023) – Acted for Vale of White Horse District Council in an inquiry for up to 175 dwellings.
- Saltersford Lane Inquiry (2023) – Acted for Wiltshire Council in an inquiry for up to 70 dwellings.
- Fareham Inquiries (2021-2022) – Acted for Fareham Borough Council in a series of multiday planning inquiries for residential schemes.
- Bramshill House and Park (2017-2021) – Acted (as junior to James Strachan KC) for the Appellant in a 26-day inquiry and as sole counsel in a further four-day inquiry into proposals concerning substantial residential development and heritage works at the Grade I listed Bramhill House and Park.
- St Osyth’s Priory (2015-2016) – Acted (as junior to Peter Village KC) for the Appellants in a case concerning enabling development to secure the future of St Osyth’s Priory in Essex, one of the most important collections of historical buildings in the country.
- Radlett, near St Albans – Acted for the Rule 6 party at a four-week inquiry into a proposed Strategic Rail Freight Interchange and at a four-week Eco-Town inquiry (both as junior to Paul Stinchcombe KC).
Ned is a leading environmental law junior, with particular expertise in planning, climate change, environmental assessments (including environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, sustainability appraisal and habitats regulations assessment), nature conservation, biodiversity net gain, energy and natural resources, pollution control, water law, flood risk management, and statutory nuisance.
Cases of Note
- Advice on species reintroductions (2024-ongoing) – As junior to Richard Wald KC and leading Celia Reynolds, Ned is advising a charity (under the auspices of the Environmental Law Foundation) on the legal regimes concerning the reintroduction of species for conservation purposes.
- Advice to the Office for Environmental Protection (2024) – As junior to Stephen Tromans KC and leading Ruth Keating and Eleanor Leydon, Ned advised the OEP (in the context of a review under section 29 of the Environment Act 2021) on the environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment and habitats regulations assessment regimes in England and Northern Ireland. The advice is available alongside the OEP report here.
- Pilkington v Portsmouth City Council (2023) – Acted for the Council in a three day trial for an alleged statutory noise nuisance arising from the Southsea Coastal Scheme, the UK’s largest local authority-led coastal defences project, worth more than £185M.
- R (GOESA Ltd) v Eastleigh BC [2022] EWHC 1221 (Admin) – Judicial review on climate change, legitimate expectation and other grounds of a permission to extend the runway of Southampton International Airport. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Samuel Smith Old Brewery) v North Yorkshire CC [2020] UKSC 3 – Judicial review concerning the scope of Green Belt policy in the context of large-scale mineral extraction. Ned acted for the Claimant/Appellant, led by Peter Village KC and James Strachan KC, in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Judgment
- CEG Land Promotions II Ltd v SSHCLG [2018] EWHC 1799 (Admin) – Section 288 TCPA 1990 challenge concerning the proper approach to “valued landscapes” under the NPPF. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by James Strachan KC. Judgment
- R (Lee Valley Regional Park Authority) v Epping Forest DC and Valley Grown Nurseries Ltd [2016] EWCA Civ 404 – Judicial review of a decision to grant planning permission for a 92,000 square metre glasshouse on Green Belt, EIA, habitats and other grounds. Ned acted for the Interested Party in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Peter Village KC. Judgment
- R (Burridge) v Breckland DC [2013] EWCA Civ 228 – Judicial review of planning permissions for a renewable energy facility. The Court of Appeal’s judgment is of importance on issues of project-splitting in the context of EIA and the exercise of judicial discretion. Ned acted for the Council, led by John Hobson KC. Judgment
- Shadwell Estates Ltd v Breckland DC [2013] EWHC 12 (Admin) – Section 113 PCPA 2004 challenge to the adoption of an area action plan on SEA/SA and habitats grounds. Ned acted for the Council, led by John Hobson KC. Judgment
- Bramshill House and Park (2017-2021) – Acted (as junior to James Strachan KC) for the Appellant in a 26-day inquiry and as sole counsel in a further four-day inquiry into proposals concerning substantial residential development and heritage works adjacent to a Special Protection Area.
Ned’s administrative and public law practice encompasses a broad range of areas, including planning and environment, local government, compulsory purchase, highways, licensing, financial services, human rights, and freedom of information.
Cases of Note
- R (GOESA Ltd) v Eastleigh BC [2022] EWHC 1221 (Admin) – Judicial review on climate change, legitimate expectation and other grounds of a permission to extend the runway of Southampton International Airport. Ned acted for the Claimant, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Samuel Smith Old Brewery) v North Yorkshire CC [2020] UKSC 3 – Judicial review concerning the scope of Green Belt policy in the context of large-scale mineral extraction. Ned acted for the Claimant/Appellant, led by Peter Village KC and James Strachan KC, in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Judgment
- City & Country Bramshill Ltd v SSHCLG [2021] 1 WLR 5761 – Multiple Section 288 and 289 TCPA 1990 challenges to decisions on a series of conjoined appeals concerning Bramshill House, a Grade I listed Jacobean mansion set within a Grade I registered park and garden. Ned acted for the Claimant/Appellant, led by James Strachan KC, in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Judgment
- Hallam Land Management v SSCLG and Eastleigh BC [2018] EWCA Civ 1808 – Section 288 TCPA 1990 challenge concerning the proper approach to calculating housing land supply. Ned acted for the Council in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Lee Valley Regional Park Authority) v Epping Forest DC and Valley Grown Nurseries Ltd [2016] EWCA Civ 404 – Judicial review of a decision to grant planning permission for a 92,000 square metre glasshouse on Green Belt, EIA, habitats and other grounds. Ned acted for the Interested Party in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Peter Village KC. Judgment
- Hunston Properties v SSCLG [2013] EWCA Civ 1610 – Seminal case on objectively assessed housing needs. Ned acted for the Claimant in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
- R (Sanders and Ross) v Airports Commission [2013] EWHC 3754 (Admin) – Judicial review on grounds of apparent bias of the work of the Airports Commission. Ned acted for the Claimants, led by Paul Stinchcombe KC. Judgment
